[mdlug] Interesting information about Windows "7"

[Jeff Hanson]

On Jan 22, 2008 10:51 AM, Robert Adkins <radkins at impelind.com> wrote:
> I know this isn't directly Linux related...
>
> However, it looks like MS is appearing to be playing OS market "Damage
> Control" caused by their currently stagnating Windows ME2^H^H^H^Vista OS.
>
> http://apcmag.com/7874/windows_7_to_be_released_next_year
>
> What does this mean for Linux? Well, the window of opportunity (pun not
> entirely intended) for Linux to make strong inroads into Desktop acceptance
> at the loss of marketshare to Microsoft due to Vista may decrease
> significantly.

Because of Vista's problems (real and perceived) some corporate
deployments are being reconsidered.  This early announcement is
partially meant to encourage them to wait for v7 instead of making
significant investment in anything else.  Many large enterprises skill
OS versions to control costs.  Many are still using Windows 2000 and
only deploy XP where specific apps require it.

Windows v7 looks like a quick release but it probably isn't.  It just
looks that way in comparison to Vista's late delivery.  Many of the
new Vista features like WinFS, etc. are probably being retargeted to
v7 with some early or limited versions released as add-ons to Vista.

The modularity features of v7 may help in small-platform products like
OLPC, and Eee PC.  That's probably why XP is being used although I'm
surprised that Windows CE is being ignored.  Another reason may be
intentional - remarketing XP as the old "economy" solution.  If you
look at their non-profit and MAR offerings (and restrictions) at
TechSoup.org it's Widows 2000 and XP Home.

The next year will be a significant opportunity for increasing in
Linux market share growth (i.e., greater than total PC shipment
growth).  Microsoft's failures have greater impact on Linux than the
long-term changes like the 64-bit conversions as proposed by ESR and
Landley:
http://catb.org/~esr/writings/world-domination/world-domination-201.html

I think that in the long term it doesn't matter that much as they will
be increasingly forced to spend resources fighting F/OSS at every
level while our costs are minimal.  Their OS is becoming the major
cost of new PC systems and will eventually price itself out of the
market.  Even their humanitarian marketing adds to those costs:
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/01/22/windows-xp-takes-linux-away-from-our-children/

We shouldn't be too passive because this year is a rare opportunity.